The Old Butcher's Shop B&B

Welcome to the Old Butcher's Shop, Orford, home to Sarah Holland and her ginger cat, Rufus. Built in 1830, the house is a listed building in the centre of the conservation area of the village of Orford.

Set in the heart of the Suffolk Heritage Coast Orford is a historical gem. Once a thriving port, the gradual silting up of the river has left it a quiet village of brick and timber houses on the estuary of the river Alde. A 12th century royal castle and fine mediæval church dominate the skyline.

The village is a perfect place to relax. There are wonderful walks, boat trips on the Ore estuary, visits to the RSPB's Havergate Island for bird lovers, as well as Orford Ness National Trust Nature Reserve on the UK’s largest vegetated shingle spit. Bicycles can be hired from the local garage and there are riding stables close by. There are two pubs, two fish smokeries, the renowned Butley Oysterage fish restaurant and the Crown and Castle hotel, run by cookery writer Ruth Watson with its highly rated Trinity restaurant.

Orford is less than five miles from the world famous Britten Concert Hall at Snape Maltings, home to the Aldeburgh music festival. A little further afield is Aldeburgh, which has its own summer theatre season and literary festival in the spring, not to mention the sea and many restaurants and shops. The village is perfectly sited for visiting Woodbridge, Framlingham, Southwold, Dunwich and the RSPB sanctuary at Minsmere.

The Old Butcher's contains the original butcher's shop which is one of the bedrooms. The former abattoir behind the house is now the kitchen linked to the main house by a conservatory. There are three comfortably furnished bedrooms which can all be double or twin. All rooms have free WiFi internet access. There is a small courtyard where guests can have breakfast outside in the summer. There is also a hidden garden with deep herbaceous borders, a large pond and a comfortable swing seat with fine views to the church. There is free parking in the market square almost opposite the house.

In 2007, the house was featured in BBC Homes and Antiques magazine and in the East Anglian Daily Times Suffolk Magazine. The Bed and Breakfast is included in Alistair Sawday's Special Places to Stay B and B Guide and the Guardian Bed and Breakfast Directory. It also has an entry on Hotels Reviewed for guests who wish to provide a review.